The news of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since his visit to the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, has sent shockwaves across the globe. The journalist was critical of the Saudi regime in his writings. Reports have suggested that the journalist may have been killed inside the consulate by a hit squad of Saudi origin.
While the world and the USA have been building pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain the disappearance of the journalist, Canada is the latest country to have expressed concern over the matter. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Chrystia Freeland brought the predicament to light in a question and answer round at the Fortune Global Forum held in Toronto on October 16. She said that Canada had some worrying questions for Saudi Arabia about the missing journalist, adding that the country has broached the subject already with Saudi and is discussing the issue at hand with its allies. She also shared that she has been in touch with G7 and NATO counterparts as well as the foreign ministries of Britain, Turkey and Germany. She also maintained that she was in contact with Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State. Freeland pushed for a “clear, transparent investigation” into the matter. “Those responsible need to be held to account,” the minister concluded.
It may be noted that in his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State in Riyadh, the Saudi king and the top leaders from Saudi Arabia vehemently denied having any knowledge about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.
